DURANT, OK-- Students got a taste of what their first day back to class might be like as several schools opened a day early for a teacher-student meet and greet.

Administrators say it helps ease nerves for anxious students, but parents say it also gives them peace of mind.

"They get to find out what's going to be on the lunch and breakfast menu tomorrow, so that's the most important!” grandmother and former teacher, Nancy Rodgers, said.

The teacher meet and greet was a family affair for Rodgers and her grandson, who said he wasn't quite sure what he'd being doing on his first day as a first grader.

"Maybe just a lot of paperwork," he, said.

Washington Irving Elementary students and parents were invited to the school to have any of their last minute questions answered, and also to help prevent chaos on the first day back.

"We knew we would get an opportunity to meet the teacher and pick up some paperwork, which normally comes home on the first day, so this is going to be awesome," Rodgers, said.

Just down the street, staff at Durant High School worked to tie up any loose ends on the administrative side.

As the new school principal, former high school counselor, Cheryl Conditt, said things were coming together just as planned.

"The teachers are working very hard to make sure everything is ready in the classroom. The counselors are working to get all the new students enrolled, and change schedules as needed for students," Conditt, said.

Around 860 students will hit the hallways of Durant High School, Thursday.

The class of 2011 will be the last group of seniors to graduate from the school, before the new Durant High School is unveiled next fall.

Graduation is years down the road for Nancy Rodgers and her grandson.

She says, she's just glad to know where to pick him up, when he's ready for a weekend with grandma.

"I know if I need to come down here and get him, I can say, he's down this hall. I don't know what room number he's in, but at least I know where the room is."

High School Construction Progress:

http://www.durantisd.org